Leverstock Green are still looking for their first win in the Southern League, but they were unlucky to come away from Monday’s visit to Barton Rovers empty-handed. A squad depleted by injuries and unavailability, and still feeling the effects of last week’s extra time exertions at Heybridge, was reduced to ten men before half time yet battled superbly throughout the second half only to concede the winning goal ten minutes from time.

Leverstock almost took the lead in the 14th minute after an excellent move. Nat Connolly pushed forward and laid off to Alie Bangura, whose ball across the box found Lewis Collins, whose well-struck shot hit the bar. Three minutes later they did take the lead. This time it was Jamie Breen pushing forward into the Barton half before laying off to Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica, who cut inside before shooting home from a narrow angle for his second goal in two games.

The lead only lasted for sixteen minutes. In the 33rd minute the referee adjudged that Breen’s tackle on former Green player John Shamalo was a foul, and awarded a penalty to Barton. Taylor Rhiney netted the spot kick to level the scores.

Rhiney could have added a second in the 39th minute as Barton broke quickly from a Leverstock corner, but Alfie Bonfield came off his line to block the shot. Two minutes from half time disaster struck for Leverstock as they were reduced to ten men. Breen brought down Shamalo again as he was heading towards goal, and the referee adjudged that Breen was the last man and showed a straight red card.

That left Leverstock with – literally – an uphill struggle in the second half on Barton’s sloping pitch, and with four inexperienced reserve team players on the bench there were limited options for change. Barton had the Leverstock goal under siege for the early part of the half, but a series of blocks and resolute defending kept the scoreline intact. Leverstock occasionally threatened on the break, but with Bangura and Stefanoaica both having to be replaced, the goal threat was reduced.

After the initial flurry from Barton had died down, Leverstock looked to have weathered the storm, until ten minutes from time. A ball into the box was flicked on to Shamalo, who produced a clinical first time finish to fire the ball past Bonfield.

Ultimately they came away with nothing, but the effort of the Leverstock side can’t be faulted at all, and once they get a few of their players back they should be able to add to their points tally. Leverstock have games in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy before their next league game.

Barton Rovers (1) 2 (Rhiney 33 pen, Shamalo 80)
1. Tyler Josephs, 2. Ryan Neufville, 3. Cameron Hyde, 4. Ashton Grant (14. Tom Silford 69 mins), 5. Charles Milton, 6. Christian Swaby, 7. Alfie Warman (12. Martel Powell 69 mins), 8. Lucas Kirkpatrick (16. Robbie Goodman 90+1 mins), 9. Matthew Moloney, 10. John Shamalo, 11. Taylor Rhiney. Subs not used: 13. Cameron Groom, 15. Jaden Brown.
Leverstock Green (1) 1 (Stefanoaica 17)
1. Alfie Bonfield, 2. Callum Neal, 3. Jamie Breen, 4. Dan Weeks, 5. Josh Dooley, 6. Ryan Carruthers (17. Scott McGleish 89 mins), 7. Lewis Collins, 8. Dan Pett, 9. Alie Bangura (15. Schilo Mateta-Kanda 54 mins), 10. Nat Connolly (16. Connor McGinty 78 mins), 11. Radu-Mihai Stefanoaica (12. Ronnie Brennan 74 mins). Sub not used: 14. Alfie Herd.